Just in case Hillary Rodham Clinton needed an extra push as she mulls a run for president, the No. 3 Senate Democrat — Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York — told an Iowa audience on Saturday night that he is urging her to run and would support her nomination if she did.

At the state party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner — an important platform for 2016, but three years out — Schumer said he believes "2016 is Hillary's time," according to his prepared remarks. The New York Democrat, who served with Clinton in the Senate, said that with a former secretary of State at the top of the ticket, Democrats could "vanquish the Ted Cruz, Tea Party Republicans" in the next presidential cycle.

"Hillary’s experience is unrivaled and her vision is unparalleled. Suffice to say, in 2008, the time was right for Barack Obama. He has successfully navigated this country through some choppy waters and he will continue to do so for the next three years," Schumer told the Iowa Democrats. "Run Hillary Run. If you run, you’ll win and we’ll all win.

"2016 is Hillary’s time. And our nation will be all the better for it," Schumer continued. "With a strong platform and with Hillary leading the charge, we will vanquish the Ted Cruz, Tea Party Republicans in 2016 and create a generation of Democrats who will make sure the middle class gets what it needs, our country advances and the torch held by that beautiful lady in New York’s harbor burns more brightly than ever."